Seasons Change — My Prayer Now

I know we are all familiar with the words of wisdom written in Ecclesiastes reminding us that seasons change. I’m experiencing that now. It’s an amazing, heart-wrenching, joy-soaked, tear-filled season of awesome anticipation. 

This is my prayer as my past and present giveway to the future plans God has for me.

Dearest Lord Jesus:

Your heart is my example and inspiration. I want the rhythm of Your righteousness to beat in perfect sync with my own desires. Have Your way, totally, my King.

A future I had never imagined is now alive in its infancy. I know it will be a Jesus-led adventure because I did not even know to ask for it or to even expect it. This is why I have peace. I know it’s Your own doing, not mine. 

In my full surrender, You have entrusted me with something linked undeniably to Your own Divine wants. I feel so unworthy and so inadequate, nevertheless, I know You are all I need in order to see it become reality. 

Jesus, if I know my own motives, I only exist that You might reveal Your Presence through me. And that is what You have been doing and are about to do in a brand new way. I am so blessed. I believe in You! I believe You reign in me! 

So, when the sun comes up tomorrow, I am all Yours and somehow it seems at a whole new level. Surprise me with Your miracles. Anoint me with Your Holy Spirit. Make my mind, O Christ, to be one in unity with Yours like I have never experinced. Do it for Your glory and for the good of never-dying souls. 

Make eternal things happen here on planet earth as I willingly partner with You in Your Kingdom Agenda. Breathe through me so that Your church will  — through the local churches I will now oversee — be strengthened and the hearts of Your people will be refreshed. Then, through us, let precious souls be pointed to a right relationship with You. 

I am Yours, exclusively. Look after those I love. Minister to them through my absence. Speak to them and to me. Say tenderly to us: “Surely. I Am with you always, to the very end of the age.” 

Your Presence matters most, my King! 

In Your Holy Name alone, Jesus, I pray and I say... Amen. 

Soon after I prayed this pray and posted the above on my blog, my new pastor/friend, Jonathan, on the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene sent me this affirming verse. Wow!

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Sin is...

My Instagram post today...

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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The Apostle Paul’s Testimony

Love this testimony:

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Brutal Yet Beautiful

I have come to realize that watching God’s perfect will unfold can feel somewhat brutal immediately but is always beautiful ultimately — possible awfulness temporarily, yet truly awesomeness eternally. In other words, embrace the Cross. Accept what God desires. It’s worth it! 

This photo illustrates what I am trying to convey...

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Jesus Wants to Sanctify Us

Entire sanctification means... 

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Only in Jesus...

Jesus alone satisfies our desperate eternal souls. -kww

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Breathe Pennsylvania

This week I have had opportunities to breathe afresh and anew in Pennylvania. Here are some images to inspire you. 

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Be Loved, Beloved One

Because you are beloved, be loved today.

https://youtu.be/JoC1ec-lYps

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Transfigured — A Prayer

In Matthew 17, we read about the Transfiguration of Jesus. After considering this event and reading commentary about it written by George Mattheson, this prayer came upon my heart:

Lord, place Your glow in our hearts and then transfer Your glow to our countenances that others will know we have been with You in private prayer and that Your Spirit abides within us. Let Your peace be our assurance that You know and hear and answer when we call out our petitions in Your Holy Name — yes, in The Name of Jesus. Amen. 

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Holiness Scriptures

These scriptures were essential to my recent Sunday morning message on Holiness:

These quotes were helpful as well:

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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The Cross is All the Proof I Need

I was raised on good gospel music and especially good southern quartet singing. This new song by the Triumphant Quartet really speaks a beautiful testimony. I hope you and I can say Amen to the message heard.

https://youtu.be/POHNjpfWzZM

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Surrendered Life or Self-Centered Life?

My Instagram post today...

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Dearest Jesus

Dearest Jesus:

Apart from You, i can accomplish nothing of lasting value. My weakness is in stark contrast to your strength. Unless You make me strong, all i attempt will miserably fail. In desperation, i seek Your face and cry out for Your Presence. 

Come to me, Jesus. Remind me of Your great compassion for me. Take pity on my human frailty. Empower me with Your everlasting life. As i stand in for you, please stand up in me. Infuse me with Your competence and complete my character with Your Holiness. 

The future is a mystery to my mind. Calm me and make me content with Your moment-by-moment mapping of my life. Be my Vision. Though the path forward is mostly unknown to me, You are my undeniable Way, Jesus, so let me know You more intimately.

Search my being, my Lord, and turn my mourning into dancing. Flood any despair within me with Your peace. As i transition from my calling as a local pastor and i say goodbye to a people i have loved and still love dearly, embrace my sorrow and let Your new joy arise within me for the new mission field you are leading me to. As long as You do not abandon me, I will sing from the deepest chamber of my soul: “All is well!” 

In the Name of Jesus, i pray these things. Amen.

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Listen for God’s Voice

I love God’s promise written down in Isaiah 30:21. It brings comfort to my soul and deceases anxiety whenever I read or hear it. Listen...

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Transition Prayers

My friend, Keith, from Michigan recently blessed my wife and me with these prayers for our season of transition...

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev.22:20

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God is Wiser

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Jesus’ Compassion

Maramatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Pastor In Transition

During this season of my life, I am best described as a pastor in transition. Since 1994, I have pastored the same local church -- the Harrisonburg First Church of the Nazarene in Virginia‘s Shenandoah Valley. There have been some hard days along the way, nevertheless, most days have been delightful and all days have been holy days.

I will be preaching throughout the Sundays in May, and again on June 10, and my final worship service as local pastor to this wonderful family of believers will be June 24. The first Sunday of July I will have fully transitioned to be the new District Superintendent of the Philadelphia District Church of the Nazarene -- overseeing churches in eastern Pennsylvania and southern New Jersey. I will go from pastoring people to pastoring pastors, who by the way are also people, very special people to Jesus. I pray that our partnership together there will be as sacred and fruitful as the partnership I have enjoyed in Harrisonburg of Virginia.

Today, I visited our local church website — www.ABeaconOfHope.org — and realized that I should take a screenshot of my photo and bio on the staff webpage (posted below). I want to always remember how God has entrusted me to be a sanctuary of His holy presence to the people He loves so dearly. I ask for your prayers as I make this transition. I believe the future is always preferred for people who passionately love and believe in Jesus Christ.

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Sins / Sin

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Submission Song

When it comes to church music, most people have a preference of style. I suppose I am little different than others, nevertheless when it comes to inspirational music I do prefer substance over style. So give me hymns, Psalms and spiritual songs whether they be ancient or modern.

This old hymn shared with me by Dr. Sam Pickenpaugh is surely a church song overflowing with substance and it is also my theme these days as my life is in transition from Harrisonburg, Virginia to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Come to think of it, the lyrics of this 1940s hymn have been the theme of my life since 1987. 

https://youtu.be/onFxWlTWsko

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Holy Ground

My Instagram post today... Holy Ground... 

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Loneliness and Faithful

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!”’Rev. 22:20

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Anchored Weekend

Hope if you’re able, you will join us in our Anchored Spiritual Renewal Weekend. 

Our Spiritual Renewal Weekend — ANCHORED ⚓️ — begins today, yes, Friday at noon with a sack lunch saturation to gain preparation for revival, also worship and the word Friday at 7pm, and Saturday workshops and worship 8-noon, concluding with Sunday morning worship 9 and 10:30am. ⚓️ Join us in person and/or in prayer. #Maranatha

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Indispensable?

Had this humility teaching poem on my heart a lot these days so i pray John 3:30...

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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Lost Souls

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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If We Backslide?

Maranatha — “Come, Lord Jesus!” Rev. 22:20

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